Carrollton Public Schools

Dear Cavalier Community,

As we begin the summer months, I want to take a moment to update you on an important decision made by our Board of Education and share where Carrollton Public Schools is headed.

This has been one of the most challenging years our district has faced in recent memory. Like many school districts across Michigan, we have experienced declining enrollment, rising operational costs, changes in state funding, and the loss of federal COVID relief funding. These financial realities required us to make difficult decisions to ensure the long-term stability of our district. 

Over the past several months, our leadership team carefully reviewed every department, every budget, and every position. We looked for every possible opportunity to reduce costs while keeping our focus where it belongs—on students and the educational opportunities they deserve.

At its recent meeting, the Board of Education voted to approve seven of the eight components of the Debt Reduction Plan. The Board also voted to maintain full-time administrators at both the middle school and high school. While that decision required adjustments in other areas of the plan, the Board believed that maintaining strong leadership in our secondary buildings is important for supporting students, staff, and school operations. If you would like additional context about these decisions and where our district is headed, please continue reading the School Board Approved Debt Reduction Plan

These decisions were not made lightly. We recognize the impact they have had on valued members of our Carrollton family, and we are sincerely grateful for the dedication and service of every employee whose work has positively impacted our students and district.

We also want to acknowledge that some members of our community and staff have expressed concerns about communication and transparency throughout this process. We hear and value that feedback. As we move forward, we are committed to strengthening how we share information—ensuring updates are more timely, more consistent, and more clearly explained so that our families, staff, and community can better understand both the decisions being made and the reasons behind them.

Despite the challenges, we have also had many moments of Cavalier Pride this year, such as celebrating our 132 graduates in the Class of 2026 from Carrollton High School and Omni High School, and student achievement continuing to improve. Over the past four years, Carrollton Public Schools has made meaningful progress. Our students continue to make gains in reading and mathematics, and we have strengthened our Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to better meet the academic and social-emotional needs of every learner. We have continued to invest in professional learning for our teachers because we know that great educators make a lasting difference in the lives of students.

This year also marked an exciting milestone as we developed our new 2026–2031 Strategic Plan. Created with input from staff, students, families, community members, and the Board of Education, this plan provides a clear roadmap for the future of our district. It reflects our shared commitment to academic excellence, student well-being, employee growth, community partnerships, and responsible financial stewardship.

The district strategic plan can be reviewed on our website at https://www.carrolltonpublicschools.org/page/strategic-planning

While this year has presented significant challenges, it has also reminded us of the strength of our school community.

What defines Carrollton Public Schools is the dedication of our employees, the resilience of our students, the support of our families, and the commitment of our community. Every challenge we face is an opportunity to grow stronger, and I am confident that the decisions we are making today will help position our district for long-term success.

As we move forward, we will continue to make thoughtful financial decisions while keeping students at the center of every choice. We remain committed to providing a safe, supportive, and high-quality educational experience for every child who walks through our doors.

Thank you to our Board of Education for their thoughtful leadership throughout this process. Thank you to our staff for your professionalism and unwavering dedication to students. And thank you to our families and community for your continued trust, partnership, and support.

I hope you and your family have a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable summer. We look forward to welcoming our students back this fall and continuing the important work of preparing every child for success. I am available to you and your families.  Please feel free to contact me at 989-754-1475 or via email: tpeterson@gocavs.net.  

Together, we are building a stronger future for Carrollton Public Schools.

With Cavalier Pride,

Tiffany L. Peterson, Ed.S.